From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare Ify Obinabo has raised alarm over an 18-year-old apprentice who allegedly impregnated 10 girls within five months, including his master’s daughter, a salesgirl, and eight others in his village.
In a live social media video on Wednesday, Obinabo described the situation as “beyond my capacity,” appealing for public suggestions to address the issue.
Obinabo explained that the teenager, sent to learn a trade, was dismissed after three months for impregnating his master’s daughter and a salesgirl. “He was sent to learn a trade at the age of 18, and within three months of apprenticeship, he impregnated his master’s daughter and his salesgirl. He was sent packing,” she said. After returning to his village, he allegedly impregnated eight more girls within two months. “This boy returned to his village and within a short time, eight more girls were confirmed pregnant,” she added.
The boy’s mother visited Obinabo’s office, expressing distress. “She told me, ‘Anytime I see a girl coming towards our house nowadays, my heart would jump. Please, I need help,’” Obinabo recounted. When questioned, the teenager said he professed love and promised marriage to the girls. “I asked the boy the magic he uses in luring the girls to bed, but he told me he always says he loves them and would like to marry them once he makes money,” Obinabo stated.
Obinabo withheld the boy’s name, his mother’s name, and the village’s location due to the issue’s sensitivity. She questioned whether the problem could be spiritual and sought public advice, emphasising the boy’s age and the number of pregnancies. “This problem is beyond me because of the boy’s age and the number of pregnant girls involved,” she stated.